5 Tips for Finding the Right Storage Unit in New York

As the biggest city in the United States, New York City is not exactly the place you might envision to fulfill your storage needs. Apartment space and office space is often limited, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing (especially when living in one of the most exciting places in the country), you may want to consider a storage unit to keep your life organized and maximize on space. Here are five tips for finding the right storage unit in New York.

Find a Unit Near You

You might not need frequent access to your storage unit once you place inside everything you wish, but even for the infrequent visit to pick up items, drop off others, or just to check in and make sure everything is in order, you don’t want to have to travel across the whole city to do so (especially if you’re transporting items with you). Find a storage unit near your home or office to cut down on the travel time and save yourself some hassle. You may not have the luxury of a car in the big city and you do not want to regularly move items via public transportation or costly moving vans. A storage unit facility within or near your neighborhood will keep your mind at ease and allow you to make as many trips to the facility as you wish. However, consider the neighborhood you live in. Even if your section of the neighborhood feels safe for your living needs, it’s a good idea to check what the safety situation is of your storage facility’s location as well.

Access Your Inventory

Think about the items you will need to place in your storage unit and how that will affect the amount of space you need. This will help you get a more accurate estimate, and while it’s often fairly easy to switch between storage unit sizes, it can help you make a better decision and cut down on the extra steps. Also consider how long you will need your storage unit for. Is this just a seasonal solution or are you in it for the long haul? Knowing this can help you budget for monthly rates or think of your long-term needs. Also, take this time to get rid of anything you don’t need anymore. Storage units are excellent solutions if you’re tight on space and want to store important, seasonal, or rarely used items, but you don’t want to use this as an excuse to encourage hoarding tendencies. Take the time to truly consider each item before you store it and donate or sell items that you truly do not need anymore.

Amenities

Different storage unit facilities supply different types of amenities, such as temperature control (for art, wine collections, or important documents), higher levels of security for electronics or other expensive items, and moving trucks to make your transfer of items a little easier. These extra amenities may significantly affect the total cost of your storage, but it’s up to you to determine what is best for your items.

Insurance

If you’re considering a storage unit for the long haul (and even if you aren’t), it’s a good idea to look into getting insurance, as most storage facilities do not take responsibility for your items. Storage insurance is an excellent option to keep your mind at ease when your items are not in sight. You should also check with your homeowner or renter’s insurance policy because they may cover storage insurance as well. If you’re finding a storage unit at the same time as you are making a move, consider choosing a home or renter’s insurance based on whether or not they cover your storage insurance so that all of your items are covered no matter if they’re with you in your home or not. Storage units are usually safe and secure, but like any other buildings they can undergo fires, damage from natural disasters, or flooding.

Do a “Background Check”

Before you decide on a storage facility, do your own investigative research. Ask questions of the storage facility to see what types of security they have, what types of locks their customers usually use, and if you can talk to existing customers. Look them up online and see if there are any recent stories about burglaries or major disasters involving the storage facility. Look up customer reviews or see if the facility was mentioned in any blog posts or reviews about top storage facilities in your area. Just as you would do a thorough check before buying a house, go visit the facility in person and do not be afraid to as plenty of questions before committing. The manager and employees should understand the importance of being thorough when choosing a storage facility, so they should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Have you or do you use a storage unit in New York? Share your tips for how you found the perfect unit to fit your needs and what you would do differently if you were to find a storage unit again in the comments section below.

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